SHILLONG: The first sitting of the High Level Committee (HLC) constituted to address the prevailing situation in Shillong decided to meet again in a few days after relevant documents with regard to the Punjabi Lane (Them Iew Mawlong) have been collected.
The HLC will examine all relevant records and documents relating to the relocation of the Punjabi Lane (Them Iew Mawlong).
The Committee will recommend practically feasible solution(s) for relocation of the said colony.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong who is the chairman of the HLC said, “We have decided to meet again maybe within 3-4 days wherein we will collect all relevant documents with regard to the Punjabi Lane (Them Iew Mawlong).”
“After getting all the documents, we have instructed the departments to submit details on the updated documents so that the HLC will be able to study one after the other and later, recommend to the state government the steps to be taken for the welfare of not only the area concerned but of the state as a whole,” he said.
Answering queries Tynsong said stakeholders tasked to look into the matter are Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Shillong Municipal Board and Urban Affairs Department.
He added that the Court cases will be studied by the Law Department which will collect all materials and submit to the HLC for detailed study. “The present government is serious about the issue. Forming a committee does not mean we want to buy time; we really mean business,” he said.
He added that the departments would furnish all the necessary documents at the earliest and if possible within this week.
Relocation not deprivation
The deputy chief minister also said that there is no difficulty in relocation.
“For relocation, I don’t see any difficulty. We are talking of relocation and not deprivation. We will not deprive but we would like to relocate and we are doing it in the best interests of everyone and if we don’t do that another problem will arise in the near future,” he said.
Tynsong said before studying the feasibility of relocation, the HLC needs to know the facts related to the issue of land or the occupants over there so that ultimately government will be able to take a call on this long pending issue.
“Until and unless we study the issues in-depth, it will not lead us anywhere. It is very deep where we have to spend time to study line by line, point by point to bring about a permanent solution to the issue,” Tynsong said.
He added that the government is committed to address the issue as quite a large section of the public met the government with the same agenda of relocation of the residents of Punjabi Lane.
Details of employees
The HLC also sought for details on the number of employees of the Municipal Board and other employees working in other government departments.
“We are waiting for records and understand what the next step is,” Tynsong said, adding that it is too early to comment on whether or not there are illegal settlers.
He informed that the area of the Punjabi Lane is roughly around 9,800 sq. m but it is subjected to detailed survey.
